104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Sunday August 26, 2018

The 104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees was celebrated with a special Multicultural Mass in St Francis Xavier Cathedral, on Sunday August 26.

Fr Anthoni Adimai, representing Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ, the Apostolic Administrator of Adelaide Archdiocese, was the main celebrant of the Mass, assisted by 15 Priests and Deacons of the archdiocese – most of them are Migrant Chaplains.

Father Adimai’s homily focused on the theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year celebration: “Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees”.

More than 400 people from different cultures and nationalities attended the Mass and the cultural celebration afterwards. The Filipino and African choirs sang beautifully in English and their own language. Other community members participated in the Readings, the Universal prayers in six different languages and the offertory procession by six children from three different communities. All those involved in the liturgy wore their beautiful national costumes with pride which made the celebration most colourful and uplifting.

After the Multicultural Mass, everyone was invited to Judith Redden Hall at St Aloysius College for the second part of the celebration. The program started with everybody singing together “I am Australian”. Sister Nien Tran RSM, OAM, manager of the Multicultural Office welcomed everyone, followed by some items of dancing and singing by communities before the blessing of the food by Fr Anthoni Adimai.

The celebration concluded at around 5.30pm in a wonderful atmosphere of joy and happiness. There was a real spirit of unity in diversity among the participants.